Key case



R. C. LEDDY July 30, 1957 KEY CASE Filed Aug. 18, 1955 I INVENTOR Rev C. LEDDY ATTORNEYS ilriited States PatentO KEY CASE Roy C. Leddy,'Abilene, Tex.

Application August 18, 1955, Serial No. 529,160

1 Claim. (Cl. 150-40) The .present invention relatestokey cases, andvmore specifically to key cases ofvthe type made from flexible material which is formed into opposite compartments for the .keys.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a key case in which the keys are segregated in a manner which assists in identifying a desired key.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key case which is compact, forming a non-bulky pocketcarried case.

A further object of the invention is to provide a key case which will materially reduce the wear on the pocket of the user.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a key case embodying the above features which will carry a maximum number of keys, utilizing'a minimum amount of material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key case in which the keys, in separate compartments, do not overlap or interfere with the keys in adjacent compartments.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification, when considered in light of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention, showing a key projecting from one end thereof and in dotted lines a second key enclosed within the device;

Figure 2 is a transverse cross section of the device shown in Figure 1, taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the blank from which the case, illustrated in Figure 1, is formed;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention;

Figure 5 is a transverse cross section taken along the line 55 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 6 is a perspective View of the blank from which the invention, illustrated in Figure 4, is formed.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several figures. Referring first to Figures 1 through 3, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally a key case comprising a central portion 11 having arcuate ends 12 and 13, and spaced-apart parallel side edges 15 and 16. A semi-heart shaped arcuate flap 17 is integrally joined to the central portion 11 along the side edge 15 thereof and extends outwardly a distance slightly less than the distance between the side edges 15 and 16 of the central portion 11. The flap 17 is adapted to be folded along the side edge 15 to overlie the central portion 11. The central portion 11 is provided with an opening 18 at one end thereof and an opening 19 at the other end thereof, and the flap 17 is provided with an opening 20 which is adapted to overlie the opening 18 when the flap 17 is folded to overlie the central portion 11. The flap 17 is further provided with a central opening 21 which is adapted to overlie the approximate center of the central Ice portion 11. when"the;flap17 is folded to overlie the central portion 11.

' A- second semi-heart shaped flap 22 is provided with anarcuate outer edge and is integrally joined to the central portion 11 along theside edge 16 thereof. The flap 22 is provided with an opening 23 which is adapted to overlie'the opening 19 when the flap 22 is folded to overlie the central portion 11 and the 'flap 17, and is further provided with a second opening 24 which is adapted to overlie the opening 21 when both flaps 17 and 22 are folded to overlie the central portion 11.

Akey-retaining pin 25 is inserted through the openings 18 and 20 and is adapted to hold a key 26 thereon with the key 26 lying between the flap 17 and the central portionll in stored position, .as illustrated in Figure 1. A second key-retaining pin 27 is adapted to extend through the openings 19. and 23 to holda key 28 so that the key 28' lies between the flap 22 and the central portion 11. The'key' 28 and .the key 26 are each adapted to be swung on'their respective key pins 25 and 27 to a use position, as shown in Figure. l. The central .portion of the flap 22, when folded on..edge 16, is adapted to overlie flap 17, and the fiaps 17.and 22 each are provided with one-half o'f'aiseparable fastener.29 which is adapted to hold the fiap22 in overlying relation to the fiap.17, and to be separated to permit the keys 26 and 28 to be swung from stored position to use position, or vice versa.

fltcan be readily seen in this .form of the invention thatthe key case 10 .can be formed without the necessity ofproviding'a separateclosure flap with the resultant waste of material which is so prevalent in the prior art structures.

Referring now to the modified form of the invention, illustrated in Figures 4 through 6, the reference numeral 30 indicates generally a key case, formed according to the modified form of the invention, comprising a central portion 31 having arcuate ends 32 and 33, a centrally disposed opening 34, and spaced-apart parallel side edges 35 and 36. A semi-heart shaped arcuate flap 37 is integrally joined to the central portion 31 along the side edge 35 thereof and extends outwardly a distance slightly less than the distance between the side edges 35 and 36 of the central portion 31. The flap 37 is adapted to be folded along the side edge 35 to overlie the central portion 31. The central portion 31 is provided with an opening 38 at one end thereof and an opening 39 at the other end thereof, and the flap 37 is provided with an opening 40 which is adapted to overlie the opening 38 when the flap 37 is folded to overlie the central portion 31. The flap 37 is further provided with a central opening 41 which is adapted to overlie the approximate center of the central portion 31, and the center of the opening 34, when the flap 37 is folded to overlie the central portion 31.

A second semi-heart shaped flap 42 is provided with an arcuate outer edge and is integrally joined to the central portion 31 along the side edge 36 thereof. The flap 42 is provided with an opening 43 which is adapted to overlie the opening 39 when the flap 42 is folded to overlie the central portion 31 and the flap 37, and is further provided with a second opening 44 which is adapted to overlie the opening 41 when both flaps 37 and 42 are folded to overlie the same side of the central portion 31.

A key-retaining pin 45 is inserted through the openings 38 and 40 and is adapted to hold a key 46 thereon with the key 46 lying between the flap 37 and the central portion 31 in stored position, as illustrated in Figure 4. A second key-retaining pin 47 is adapted to extend through the openings 39 and 43 to hold a key 48 so that the key 48 lies between the flap 42 and the central portion 31. The key 48 and the key 46 are each adapted to be swung on their respective key '45 and 47 42 overliesthe central portion of the flap 37 and each are provided with one-half of arseparable.fastenerAQ which is "adapted to hold the flap '42 in overlyingjeltion to the ,flap 37, and to be separatedtto permitfthe, keys'46 stored position to use position,

to a use position,

as shown in Figure 4. The centralportion of the flap tenejr 49 to clamp the flaps 37 and 42't ogethe r with the p separable fastener 49 extending through deepening. This construction provides" compartments Whichextend V oppositelyon opposite sides of thecentr'al portion 31 so that the keys contained therein be at all times separated bytthe central portion 31. Obviously the consfl'uction illustrated in' Figures 4-through .6 can be utilized in the same manner as the construction illustrated in. Figures, 1 through- 3, should the user so 'desire, by removing the key pin 45 and reversing the flap 37 so that both flaps 37 'and'f42 are overlapping the same side of the central portion31. Y 'L It'should be noted that the blank forming the key case of the modification illustrated in Figures 1 through 3, and the blank forming the key case of the modification illustrated in Figures 4 through 6, are identical with'ithe exception of the central opening 34 that is'provided in the second modification.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments'of the invention,,.it should be understood that numerous. structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted t 4 V to without departing from the scope of the appended claim. r

What is claimed is:

A key case comprising a blank formed of flexible sheet material having a central panel including a pair of'spaced apart parallel side edges, a pair of convexly curved spaced apart end edges, a side panel integrally extending from one parallel side edge of said central panel, and a second side panel integrally extending'from the other parallel side edge of said central panel and arranged opposite to said first side panel, said side panels each having apertures adjacent the opposite end edges thereof and said central paneLan aperture adjacent each end edge thereof with the aperture in each side .panel being adapted to overlie the adjacent aperture in said central panel, a key retainer pin extending through the aperture in each end of said central panel and the aperture in the adjacent side panel, separable fastening means secured in overlapping relation to said side panels securing said panels together, said central panel having a central opening axially aligned with 7 said separable fastening meanstwhereby said; side panels may be overlapped on'oppo site sides of said central panel and said separable fastener means may be fastenedthrough said central opening in said central panel;

References Cited in the file of this'patent UNITED, STATES PATENTS if Wiener Nov. 24, 1931 2,065,940 Lane Dec. 29, 1936 2,305,363 -Wege Dec. 15, 1942 2,359,154 1 Reichle; Sept. 26, 1944 .2 5

Sherwood Jan. 13, 1953 

